Regulation of metabolic networks by small molecule metabolites.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ability to regulate metabolism is a fundamental process in living systems. We present an analysis of one of the mechanisms by which metabolic regulation occurs: enzyme inhibition and activation by small molecules. We look at the network properties of this regulatory system and the relationship between the chemical properties of regulatory molecules.

Results

We find that many features of the regulatory network, such as the degree and clustering coefficient, closely match those of the underlying metabolic network. While these global features are conserved across several organisms, we do find local differences between regulation in E. coli and H. sapiens which reflect their different lifestyles. Chemical structure appears to play an important role in determining

SUBMITTER: Gutteridge A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1839110 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature